Sometimes you just can't make it into the kitchen to cook. Dr. Gourmet
has reviewed some common convenience foods, ingredients, and restaurant
selections so that you know what's worth eating - and what's not. View the Index of all Dr. Gourmet's Food Reviews

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AlsoSalt

I have never been much of a fan of salt substitutes. This is partly because most people can cut back on their salt consumption by simply not eating junk food and being more careful with their diet. I received a product sample from a company based in Washington called AlsoSalt (www.alsosalt.com). Is it any good?

For
the most part it's processed foods like fast food, snack foods, crackers and
chips that contribute to the health issues from a high sodium diet. There
is no doubt that a lower sodium diet prevents disease.

People
who already have health problems, like high blood pressure and
heart failure, who make changes to their diet often have an easier
time with their conditions by being careful with their salt intake. Making
better choices, like not eating processed foods, is one way, and learning
to measure salt carefully is another. We know from research that the salt
taste buds will learn to need less salty foods when someone eats a lower
sodium diet.

So is there a place for salt substitutes? Previously I would have said no, but
with AlsoSalt I will say definitely maybe. There's no funny metallic aftertaste
that characterizes most substitutes I have tasted, and the product works
quite well sprinkled on food. For instance, when shaken over no-sodium frozen
peas, tasters couldn't tell much difference in saltiness between the
AlsoSalt and regular salt. The same was true with a fried egg.

But it's not so successful cooked into dishes. The best example was with rice. Cooked rice needs salt for flavor. It's just bland without some added sodium. Rice cooked with equal amounts of table salt and AlsoSalt were clearly different in blind taste testings with the regular salt version tasting fine and the AlsoSalt dish being bland.

So is there a role for this product? I think so. Even though it's quite expensive, at about $4.00 for a small shaker, those who are really addicted to the flavor of salted food would do well to use this at the table instead of the salt shaker and add less (or no) table salt in cooking.